Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Musicians have been fusing traditional Celtic music with rock & roll since the '60s, but few have done it as successfully as the Canadian band Great Big Sea. Rant and Roar is the band's sixth CD, and it's designed to introduce them to U.S. audiences by presenting the best songs from two of their earlier releases, Up and Play. Unlike most Celtic-rock fusion bands, Great Big Sea eschew electric guitars and synthesizers in favor of acoustic guitars and traditional instruments like bodhran, bouzouki, fiddle, flute, and whistle. But on tracks like "The Old Black Rum," a rousing drinking song in the Dubliners tradition; the moving ballad "General Taylor"; or their cover of R.E.M.'s "End of the World," their instrumental prowess and powerful vocals more than make up for the lack of electric instruments. Not only have Great Big Sea scored hits with previously archaic song forms like sea shanties, drinking tunes, and ballads, they make these old songs rock. --Michael Simmons

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

My musical taste has generally been hard rock and it was getting old and tired for me. I live in Massachusetts and I caught Great Big Sea doing an outdoor live concert from snowy Marble Mountain, Newfoundland on my satellite receiver.I couln't believe my ears. I had been looking for something new and this band was proud, bold, rockin and entertaining like no other band I've ever known.I can only best describe the music as happy, whimsical, and spirited. Music you can sing-a-long to, dance to or relax to. I obtained their first three Canadian CD's, Great Big Sea, Up and Play and I became a serious fan.Their US release of Rant and Roar is a fantastic compilation and more of some of their best music. There is not a single lousy track. I highly recommend you buy the CD and you'll find yourself playing it over and over, again and again.I love them so much, my wife Donna and I traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to see them perform. Don't miss a chance to see them live.

I heard these guys on the radio over an NPR station, "The Night Pat Murphy Died" specifically - kind of folk music on speed, I guess. The CD is amazing, few CDs make me want to get up and dance as much as this one does. I've played it for friends (all of whom have slightly eclectic tastes) and its become the most popular CD of mine to "borrow". If you like folksy music played quickly and with passion, this is a must-own CD.

Come in, take off your hat and coat and grab a seat near the fire. Order a pint of 'screech' and relax, the music is about to begin. Welcome to Newfoundland!

'Rant And Roar' is a fun, rollicking CD by the Great Big Sea, four native Newfoundlanders who draw their inspiration and music from a unique and rich cultural heritage. English, Irish, Scottish, French and who knows what else come together with a flair that reminds us all of what the "Old World" was like in simplier times.

Though I'm not a native Newfoundlander I have spent numerous summer's there visiting the maternal side of my family. In my youth I've walked up and down Saint John's fishing docks listening to my Grandfather barter in Portugese with fisherman for the best price on the catch of the day and watched the icebergs float by while standing atop Cabot's Tower on the hillside overlooking Saint John's Harbor. All the pleasant memories of the time I've spent there is embodied in this wonderful music. Come with me to other time, another place and sing the type of songs your Grandparents sang. Songs of love, songs of life, songs for drinking and a dirge or two thrown in for good measure. Just be sure to bring your stomping shoes if you got any!

While ordering a Gaelic Storm CD from Amazon.com I was shown a list of other CD's purchased by Amazon customers who had bought Gaelic Strom. Rant and Roar was on that list. I had never heard of the group or the CD... I purchased it and was delighted! I never tire of the wonderful, upbeat, unique celtic/rock sound. Tracks like Ordinary Day make you believe in yourself, Fast As I Can is a lovely ode to love. And the last hidden track is well fantastic - and well worth the lag time wait. I almost missed it not knowing there was a hidden last tract - wait a full minute after the last song.This band is great, like it's name. I always feel good when listening to it. I would love to hear these guys live!

This CD is a very nice mix of pop-rock and Celtic music. The upbeat songs are handled so well you can't help but sing along. The musicianship and arrangements are both excellent. GBS's version of "Mari-Mac" is the best I've heard anyone do and they handle REM's "End of the World as We Know It" very well. I've always liked "The Night Pat Murphy Died" and they do a good rousing version here. The only songs that get to me are the two ballads, both of which are a little too sappy for my taste.

A fabulous CD. It lilts. It rock. It beats St. John's Wort AND Prozac for a mood-altering, uplifting experience. If you start with this one, or with their TURN CD, I guarantee you'll be hooked on GBS for life.

I was dragged to a big festival, while down in Florida, with a friend. As we were walking into the event, with three stages, you could hear "End Of The World" vibrating. My attention was pulled to the main stage, where Great Big Sea was performing. People were dancing. The band was amazing. It was love at first sight, I would guess. I wandered over to where they were selling their CD, "Rant and Roar." I bought it. On the drive home, I listened to it over and over. Since then, I have bought all their CDs and made fans out of everyone I know. They are a wonderful group with very good songs. I will promise that you will sing along with their songs, even "Mari-Mac." And I advise fans to check them out live, if possible. You can find their tour schedule on their webpage. Definitely check out their webpage, too.

Looking for something fun to do? Come Rant and Roar with the rest of us! This is a great CD bringing together the best of 2 Canadian released CDs (Up and Play). GBS is one of the most energetic groups I have ever heard. They have legions of devoted fans North of the Border and those of us down here are just now getting more chances to see them. This is one of my family's favorite sing-a-long CDs. My younger kids love to sing along with Pat Murphy, while my older son loves End of the World. (Much more upbeat than REM's version!) The "bys" in the band are genuinely nice and seem to have as much fun onstage as we do in the audience! If you haven't heard of GBS, start here and then follow UP and TURN to the others and PLAY Great Big Sea!